Hydrotherapeutic device



Sept. 21, 1954 F. L. WELCH HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed June 29, 1951 a0 Q a R mm ,mm L E EN R. ww u n] W M H m R...\ L. E8 B 8 L m Mm r 5w f wy 8 I Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to hydrotherapeutic devices and moreparticularly to a colostomy flushing device applicable to receive and toconduct for disposal into any desired receptacle bodily secretions anddischarges in a convenient manner and providing douchin facilitiesconducive to sanitation.

Although the device of the present invention is adapted for use inreceiving and conducting many bodily secretions and discharges forsanitary disposal and provides douching facilities for sanitarypurposes, for descriptive convenience the structure and operationthereof is described in connection with its use as a, colostomy flushingdevice.

Recent surgical practices involving the removal of portions of patientslarge intestines not in frequently require the formation of permanentartificial openings in the colon referred to as colostomies. Not onlyare such operations serious in nature, but the discharge of colonicmaterial from the artificial openings results in such inconvenience andembarrassment to patients frequently to cause them to lose the desire tosurvive. In addition to the complete loss of normal control incident tosuch operations, proper sanitation is extremely difficult to achieve andhas heretofore required painstaking and exacting attention consumingmuch time. Further, to endeavor to effect such discharge at selectedintervals, patients have had to assume grotesque positions and attitudesfrequently attained with great discomfort and strain.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide animprovedhydrotherapeutic device adapted to receive and to conduct for disposalinto any desired receptacle bodily secretions and discharges.

Another object is to provide such a device having douching facilitiesfor sanitation purposes and enematic use.

Another object is to provide a device of the character and for thepurposes set forth that is useable by a patient in selected prone orseated positions without the bodily distortion and discomfort heretoforeconsidered inescapable attendant the effecting of colostomic discharge.

Another object is to provide a colostomy device which is adapted forcontinuous wear or inter mittent utilization as patient requirementssuggest.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequentdescription in the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a colostomy flush- 2 ing device embodyingthe ent invention.

Fig. 2 is a foreshortened vertical section of principles of the presthedevice shown in Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the device of the present inventionsomewhat similar to Fig. 2 but showing the device positioned fordouching operations or to administer an enema.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 4 showing the devicepositioned for free colostomy discharge and flushing operations.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, as taken on line 66of Fig. 1.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing:

The device of the present invention provides a substantiallycylindrical, hollow body It of rigid, preferably transparent, materialsuch as glass, plastic or the like. The body is preferably centrallyconstricted andhas an open end portion I 1 adapted for fluid tightassociation with a skin surface of a patient and an open opposite endportion [2.

For convenience in mounting and rotatably positioning the body [0, acollar I5 is rotatably mounted in circumscribing relation on the con"stricted central portion and provides laterally extended belt loops IS.A belt I! is connected to the loopsll and provides a convenient meanswhen constricted about a patient for attaining the fluid tightassociation described.

A diaphragm 20 preferably of flexible resilient sheet material such asrubber, plastic or other comparable material is removeably mounted onthe end H of the body [0. Although the diaphragm is preferably.resilient to facilitate fluid tight engagement with the skin surface ofa patient, such as that indicated generally at 2! in Figs. 4 and 5, itwill be apparent that a rigid member may in some instances be employed,the resilience of the patients flesh being relied upon to facilitate thedesired association. The diaphragm conveniently provides acircumscribing rib 22 that is elastic and removably constricted incircumscribing relation on the end H of the body I0. The diaphragm has acentral opening 23 and the diaphragm material thereabout ribbed, at 24,to minimize tearing and other damage thereto.

An elongated fluid conduit or bag 30 of flexible material, such asrubber, plastic or waterproof cloth has an open end portion 3| and aclosed end portion 32.' The open end portion 3|, is releasably closed byany suitable clamp such a the spring clamp, shown at 33, of well knownform. Intermediate the opposite end portions, the bag provides anopening 34 therein defined by a circular elastic rib 35 which isreleasably constricted on the end portion [2 of the body it.

A catheter is mounted in the closed end of the bag 32 and provides aparabolic portion All disposed within the bag which has a tubularextension 42. The catheter provides a shank at, about which the closedend 32 of the bag is either formed or about which it is releasablyconstricted in fluid tight engagement, having a flange at and anendwardly extended nipple 45. The nipple is of well known form adaptedfor the releasable mounting of a fluid conduit 46 thereover. The conduit46 is removable so that the device may be conveniently Worn by a patientwhile moving about and even at work and conveniently reattached forflushing operations. The tube may be attached to any suitable source offlushing or douching fluid, not shown, preferably under pressuresufficient to assure dependable flow but insumcient to cause any patientdiscomfort. The applicant prefers simply to connect the conduit 48 to anelevated hot water bag or the like containing desired fluid. To achieveincreased dependability of fluid tight engagement of the bag with theshank 43, an elastic band l! is preferably constricted thereabout.

Operation The operation of the device of the present invention isbelieved to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

When it is desired to wear the device constantly rather than to employit periodically, the clamp 33, the bag 30, and the catheter M! arecollapsed within the body Iii so as to attain a compact condition, andthe strap ll utilized to mount the body in desired position. Thediaphragm 28 provides fluid tight engagement with the wearer.

The overall length of the body it is such that it may be worn withoutunduly bulky appearance but in most instances the device is employedonly at intervals and thus provides no undue inconveni nce incident toeven its small bulk.

During use, the clamp 3! is removed opening the lower end 8! of the bag36. The lower end is preferably extended downwardly into a water closetbowl, not-shown, or other receptacle and upon removal of the clamp allsecretions or discharged material drained from the body memher it Lit.

The tube t? is connected to the catheter at as described and a flow ofwater, disinfecting fluid, or other liquid directed through the catheterwhich may be seated in the colostomy, indicated at 50, as shown in Fig.4. By visual reference to the positioning of the catheter made possiblethrough the body It], the insertion is eifected with minimum ofinconvenience. Not only does such positioning of the catheter permitemployment of the liquid flow therefrom for douching purposes but thevery frequently required administration of an enema for such cases isthus facilitated. Further, the parabolic portion l! of the catheterexercises a stretching effect on the colostomy opposing the well-knowntendency thereof to close or grow shut. The catheter is also useful as anozzle in directing fluid flow to flush the body member I!) and bag 39as well as to wash the patients skin surface disposed within the bodymember it through the opening 23 in the diaphragm 20.

After a thorough cleansing of the interior of the device, the liquidflow is interrupted. If the device is to be worn, the tube 45 isremoved, the lower end 3| of the bag 30 closed, and the bag held againstthe users body in any convenient manner or permitted to han freely, asdesired. If the device is worn subsequent to use, the catheter 10 isplugged or capped by any suitable means, not shown. If not to be Worn,the belt l; is simply released and the device stored for future use.

As a cleansin convenience, the diaphragm 20 and bag 36 are readilyremoved from the body l0 and the individual components disinfected,boiled, or otherwise treated. The ready disassociation of the parts alsopermits their replacement when broken, torn, or unduly worn.

The described hydrotherapeutic device obviates the conventionalinconveniences and embarrassment incident to a colostomy. It is fullyeffective in its operation and provides a, sanitary convenience for thedescribed discharge and cleansing operations. It is economical toproduce and durable in form.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred method and embodiment,it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scopeof the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosedherein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as toembrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising a substantially rigid,transparent, cylindrical body member having open opposite ends; adiaphragm of resilient material mounted on one end of the body memberfor fluid tight engagement with a skin surface of a patient; means forreleasably mounting the body member with the diaphragm in said fluidtight engagement with a patient; an elongated bag of flexible materialhaving a closed end portion, an opposite open end portion, and a centralportion intermediate the end portions releasably mounted in fluidcommunication with the body member on the end thereof opposite from thediaphragm and in spaced relation to the diaphragm to define aninspection window through the body member'therebetween; and a fluidsupply means mounted in the closed of the bag in. alignment with theopen end, portion of the bag and in suflicient spaced relation to thebody member to permit extension thereof through the body member andoutwardly of the diaphragm opening.

. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindricalbody member of sub" stantially rigid transparent material havin openopposite ends; a diaphragm of resilient sheet material having a centralopening releasably mounted over an end of the body member; an elongatedbag of flexible material having a closed end portion, an open oppositeend portion, and a central'portion, the central portion of the baghaving an opening therein circumscribed by an elastic rib releasablyconstricted about the end of the body opposite from the diaphragm; and acatheter mounted in the closed end of the bag in sufiicient spacedrelation to the body member to permit extension of the catheterendwardly through the body member and outwardly of the diaphragmopening.

3. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindricalbody member of transparent material having open opposite ends and aconstricted central portion, a collar mounted in circumscribing relationon the body member, a mountin strap connected to the collar, a circulardiaphragm of resilient sheet material having a central opening mountedin covering relation to an end of the body member, the diaphragm havingan elastic peripheral edge releasably constricted on the body member, abag of flexible material having a closed end portion and an openopposite end portion, the ba having an opening therein intermediate theopposite ends thereof fitted over the end of the body member opposite tothe diaphragm, the opening in the bag beingcircumscribed by an elasticedge of the bag constricted on the body member, a catheter mounted inthe closed end of the bag in sufiicient spaced relation to permitextension of the catheter endwardly through the body member andoutwardly of the diaphragm opening, a flexible liquid conduit connectedto the catheter, and means for releasably closing the open end of thebag.

4. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindricalbody member of substantially rigid transparent material having openopposite ends; a diaphragm of resilient sheet material having a centralopening mounted over an end of the body member; an elongated ba offlexible material having an open lower end portion, a closed upper endportion, and a central portion providing an opening therein, the bagbeing mounted on the end of the body member opposite to the diaphragmwith said end of the body member extended into the central opening ofthe bag and with the bag and the diaphragm being in spaced relationdefining a substantially cylindrical inspection window through the bodymember therebetween; and a catheter mounted in the closed end of the bagin sufficient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension ofthe catheter endwardly through the body mem- 7 posite to the diaphragmwith said end of the body member extended into the central opening ofthe bag and with the bag and the diaphragm being in spaced relationdefining a substantially cylindrical inspection window through the bodymember therebetween; and a catheter having a substantially cylindricalblunt end extended longtudinally into the ba and a colostomy stretchingportion in adjacent spaced relation to the blunt end of substantiallyparaboloidal form and the catheter being mounted in the bag insufficient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension of theblunt end and paraboloidal stretchin portion endwardly through the bodymember and outwardly of the diaphragm opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,294,537 Carhart Sept. 1, 1942 2,331,226 Pritchard Oct. 5,1943 2,504,872 Perry Apr. 18, 1950 2,524,750 Bellinger Oct. 10, 19502,540,777 Deahl Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,661Great Britain Nov. 10, 1885

